The one thing you’re probably missing when it comes to how kids play.

Thanks to our brand partner, Disney

I have a confession, just don't judge me. When my kids were younger, in their pre-school days, I absolutely, resolutely hated playing with them.

I mean I would do it, but I was exhausted, my imagination had been depleted and while I loved dolls when I was young, in my thirties — it just wasn't my thing.

Fast forward to today, where both my daughters are at primary school and I'm back working full time — well regret has sunk in. Big time.

The truth is, I'd do anything to have that time again, get down on the floor to play with dolls, dress up as our favourite Disney characters and ride the waves on our pillow boat as we search beyond the reef.

And that's not only because I want to make more memories and cherish that quality time with my daughters but because I've witnessed personally how much kid's play teaches them.

While most parents know that kids learn through play, exactly how and what sort of play does this, isn't always as widely understood. But let me tell you, it's significant and not always appreciated as much as it should be (yep, I'm talking about me).

Fuelling creativity and teaching valuable lessons.

Role play is a wonderful way to engage and develop your child's imagination and creativity, I've seen this firsthand. Going back to my earlier point, playing with dolls or dressing up as a character from Disney's Moana (my daughters' favourite film) wasn't always my favourite thing to do on a Tuesday morning.

(This may have also had to do with me being allocated Tamatoa — the villainous giant crab responsible for the earworm Shiny — and made to sing it.)

But oh, how my daughters embraced it. They did the voices of Moana, Chief Tui and even Heihei the rooster, went on voyages across the ocean, met new antagonists along the way and sometimes ended up in quite unexpected settings — like Tamatoa's Lair.

With the much-anticipated release of Disney's Moana 2, I have no doubt that Big W's range of dolls, clothing and books — both online and in-store — will spark a whole new wave (pun absolutely intended) of excitement for kids and their parents alike.

And honestly, that's something worth celebrating. I've seen firsthand how my daughters' imagination and creativity have flourished through role play. Whether it's writing captivating narratives for school, crafting intricate sculptures in art or inventing adventures while playing with their younger cousins, the inspiration they've drawn from toys and stories like Moana has been incredible. Dolls and books aren't just fun — they're little tools for big ideas.

Role play doesn't just spark imagination — it also teaches valuable life lessons.

Thanks to the new generation of Disney animated films, so many meaningful values are explored on screen. What I love about these films is that their female protagonists are complex.

They make mistakes, learn from them and in doing so, these lessons are instilled in our kids and further developed through their play. Perhaps my two favourite messages from Moana are that kindness is important and that you should never be afraid to be different. It's similar to how the activity sets encourage my kids to play together, promoting creativity and sharing.

A value I've seen demonstrated by my daughters when playing with friends or at daycare, kinder and school — especially out on the playground with other children they didn't always get along with.

Rather than butting heads, they showed empathy while staying authentic to themselves. And if they made a mistake, they said sorry.

Building problem-solving skills and boosting memory.

From blocks to puzzles and board games — all these play-based activities help children think critically, solve problems and they're fun!

By manipulating puzzle pieces and figuring out where they fit, kids learn about spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

They also help kids remember shapes, colours, positions and strategies needed to complete the puzzle — skills that can be applied in other areas afterwards.

Improving language skills and helping kids find their voice.

As an ex-English teacher, I like my words. I've also always been a huge reader and have read to my children (even in utero). But one play-based activity my kids and I regularly enjoyed together when they were younger was word-based games.

Whether it was the number plate game while driving, I spy on a road trip, writing funny poems or even making our own books with illustrations, it was something we could do at home or out and about in an authentic, playful way.

And sometimes, on those bleak, wet winter days, we'd head to the library for storytime and listen to the library educator read books or sing songs — in a far more entertaining way than I could ever seem to manage.

Now, as my youngest daughter regularly pulls out a notebook to write stories and illustrate them, I'm always impressed by the words and creative ideas that no doubt stem from her playtime.

While I can't rewind the clock and don my ad hoc Tamatoa costume, I know that with or without my enthusiasm, my kids have been positively shaped by play — and, in many ways, so have I.

Shop Disney's Moana 2 range at Big W, available online and in-store.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Celebrate the upcoming release of Disney's Moana 2! Get ready to sail to new seas in the next chapter of this musical adventure with clothing, toys and more. In Cinemas November 28.